Hewitt told IGN: "We do revel in it somewhat but the violence is there to show Kratos dealing with his demons and enacting that revenge in a very physical, hands-on way.

"There are some things we've pulled back from. I think where this has been an issue is with violence against women - the team's pulled back from some of that and assessed that a little more carefully.

"There are certain things that carry has a different kind of resonance that we don't want to get into. This isn't about statement-making in that regard. It's about fleshing out this character."

God of War: Ascension will present a more human side of Kratos, set in a time before his desire for vengeance consumed him. The storyline takes place before the events of the first God of War and sees the Spartan warrior attempt to break free of Ares's bonds.